internetcases

Paul had special insight

The companions with Paul gained a certain level of understanding about Jesus' teaching (they saw the light) but Paul's understanding surpassed theirs (he could understand the voice).

Acts 22:9 (NIV)

Paul cites to other sources for authority

The truth of these teachings has manifested itself in places other than the Old Testament and Christian sources. This is a hint to us to seek the truth from all sources, wherever we find ourselves. We…

Acts 17:28 (NIV)

immanence of the transcendent

God is not far away, but is present with us.

No such thing as half repentance

True repentance gets at all the sin.

Proverbs 28:13 (MSG)

This describes the unconscious

With self awareness, we know ourselves better. The deep waters here are the unconscious parts of ourselves. We must become transparent to that.

Proverbs 20:5 (NIV)

Good career advice from Proverbs

If you do what you do with a respect for God, keeping him first, and doing the work for his sake, provided it be in his will, he'll back you up. Talk about a confidence instiller!

Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)

Selfishness causes disgrace

Don't let the ego get the best of you.

Proverbs 11:2 (NIV)

Without faith, things are unreliable

The mud and slime are those pursuits and results in life that are deceitful and cannot be trusted to support. The firm place to stand is life in God's grace, where you can have trust that providence will…

we are impermanent and insubstantial

This passage gives perspective on how insignificant our worldly pursuits are. More significance arises in our relation to God.

Psalm 39:5 (NIV), Psalm 39:6 (NIV)

Selfishness blinds

We can be so focused on ourselves that we do not even recognize that we are sinning. When we sin, we depart from the standards of righteousness that God wants for us. Those standards reflect divine perfection…

Psalm 36:2 (NIV)

Why work is sometimes hard and frustrating

Our relationship to the earth in Eden was one uncorrupted by sin. After the fall, the lack of oneness with God complicated our relationship with the earth, which is the means for the resources that provide…

Genesis 3:18 (NIV)

Impermanence of the wicked

Wicked lives are ephemeral, whereas a righteous life may be everlasting.

Sin had not yet caused them to put up defenses

They did not yet have a sense of defending themselves from the other's attack on their vulnerability.

Genesis 2:25 (AMP)

The link between resting and holiness

This verse tells us that God made the Sabbath holy *because* he rested on that day. In other words, His rest caused the holiness. This teaches us something of the nature of the appropriate relationship…

Genesis 2:3 (NIV)

Was Jesus not all-knowing?

This passage suggests Jesus was not omniscient (all-knowing) during his time on earth. For if he had been, he would have known the fig tree bore no fruit and would not have had to investigate. It reveals…

Mark 11:13 (KJV)

The futility of a life not centered on God

This passage hit home for me, in that I see so many similarities in my own life. And when I reflect on it, I see that the futility has arisen mostly because I have, for the most part, tried to do it myself,…

Haggai 1:6 (NIV)

Guidance for tough times

These verses are a good reminder for us to keep our faith in the Lord even (or especially) when times are tough. Drought in this verse is analogous to recession.

Jeremiah 17:5 (NIV), Jeremiah 17:6 (NIV), Jeremiah 17:7 (NIV), Jeremiah 17:8 (NIV)

A warning about nostalgia

This counsel from Ecclesiastes is one that may be difficult for a lot of folks, for many people as they advance in life begin to lament how things have changed, longing for the "good ol' days". It seems…

Ecclesiastes 7:10 (NIV)

We are information in God's records

It is intriguing to consider this verse in the context of what Polkinghorn has described, namely, that our souls are comprised of information, and that information (pattern) God never forgets. It is in…

Psalm 139:16 (NIV)

God must be in charge

This is one of the clearest pronouncements in the Bible that we must turn it all over to God to be in charge if we are to experience blessing. We cannot do life ourselves. To attempt that is fruitless.…

Psalm 127:1 (NIV)

God welcomes us upon death

This verse is probably used at funerals quite a bit.

Psalm 116:15 (NIV)

Numbering our days as mindfulness

In this verse we are reminded that we should number our days. What an interesting concept! This is very much like the notion of carpe diem. It is a reminder that we should be mindful of each and every…

Psalm 90:12 (NIV)

David asks for an undivided heart

The idea of asking for an undivided heart is an intriguing one, and it underscores the importance of having a single-minded type of focus on worshiping God. The call is to avoid duplicity, and when one…

Psalm 86:11 (NIV)

God gave allowance for our sinful weak nature

God's anger abated after remembering that people are just flesh, weak and temporary, like the wind. This understanding would be the kind of understanding that the kind of God who would send a savior would…

Psalm 78:39 (NASB)

Advice on handling anger

Anger, wrath and fretting lead to evil.

Psalm 37:8 (NIV)